World Cup Showdown: Argentina booked a World Cup 2026 semi-final with England after beating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, with Julian Alvarez breaking the deadlock and Lautaro Martinez sealing it; Lionel Messi set up the opener and the match added fresh controversy after Breel Embolo’s second yellow. Rivalry, Politics, and Falklands: England also advanced after beating Norway 2-1, setting up a high-stakes England-Argentina clash in Atlanta that still carries the shadow of the Falklands/Malvinas dispute. Cuba Power Crisis: Cuba suffered another islandwide blackout as its grid and fuel supply strain under U.S. pressure, with officials citing system failures and restoration efforts underway. Venezuela Earthquake Fallout: The death toll from Venezuela’s twin quakes climbed to about 4,333, with thousands displaced and economic uncertainty growing in coastal areas like La Guaira. Peru Election Integrity: A report says one in four Peru governor candidates for 2026 has a criminal sentence, raising concerns about candidate vetting and voter trust. Venezuela Oil Shift: New rules are loosening PDVSA control and expanding private-sector room as production nears 1.2 million barrels per day.